My 12 yr old daughter started coming to the gym with me a few months ago. I had her start squatting w the bar and she's up to 75 lbs now w perfect form. I'm trying to get the point across to her that strength comes from within. The older she gets, the more of a role model I'm trying to be for her. It's not always easy, but I'm trying...

My 12 yr old daughter started coming to the gym with me a few months ago. I had her start squatting w the bar and she's up to 75 lbs now w perfect form. I'm trying to get the point across to her that strength comes from within. The older she gets, the more of a role model I'm trying to be for her. It's not always easy, but I'm trying...

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Good for you!

We are powerfull, significant, influencial and destiny to our children. All we have to do is own it and step up to it. We create and (are to) cultivate our children. If we do not cultivate what we create (our garden) it will sprout weeds and kill out the fruit (spirtually and mentally healthy children).

My oldest daughter who is 24yo is training with a pro female IFBB to compete in a fitness competition. Watching her apply disciplines that she has watched me practice is such a blessing. I never set out to be that influence but in hindsight and recent insight into my innate influence in her life I am amazed to see so much of myself in her now. My hope is that the wisdom of my life outweighs the folly so she doesn't have to struggle with the ignorance that come with youth like I did.

Look at all these little kids takin' care of the music biz don't their bus'ness take good care of me...

I lost my father when I was 20 to cancer. You never truly get over it, you just get used to it. That was part of the reason I try to be so active with my daughter

Totally agree and sadly my father is still around but I don't speak with him...he made my life a living hell with many type of abuse growing up along with him being a constant drug addict but my grandfather is my father figure and I love him dearly and will be devastated when he goes

I lost my father when I was 20 to cancer. You never truly get over it, you just get used to it. That was part of the reason I try to be so active with my daughter

I hear you man. My dad is not in the greatest condition these days and it weighs on me heavily. I've looked up to my father since I was a child. He immigrated here, worked 3 jobs, received an education and managed to achieve so much, with so very little, and still found time to spend with me. To this day, I'm not even sure how he did it, how he was able to balance it all.

I hear you man. My dad is not in the greatest condition these days and it weighs on me heavily. I've looked up to my father since I was a child. He immigrated here, worked 3 jobs, received an education and managed to achieve with so little, and still found time to spend with me. To this day, I'm not even sure how he did it, how he was able to balance it all.

Agreed. My father was a relatively uneducated immigrant who worked 7 days a week. But yet, we always had time to lift together. Part of the reason I push as hard as I do with lifting, my career and with my daughter. Not a day goes by I don't miss him, but I always know he would be quite proud of any success and hard work I have m

Totally agree and sadly my father is still around but I don't speak with him...he made my life a living hell with many type of abuse growing up along with him being a constant drug addict but my grandfather is my father figure and I love him dearly and will be devastated when he goes

I am sorry to hear that. Although I sympathize l, as I haven't spoken to my mother in a long time. It is very sad.

Agreed. My father was a relatively uneducated immigrant who worked 7 days a week. But yet, we always had time to lift together. Part of the reason I push as hard as I do with lifting, my career and with my daughter. Not a day goes by I don't miss him, but I always know he would be quite proud of any success and hard work I have m

I could totally see how guys, especially if they are close to their fathers, lose themselves a bit after that's been taken out of their lives. I think I'd be a mess, admittedly.

I see my oldest daughter posting things on facebook about how "I am her inspiration" (she is training to compete), "I'm becoming my Dad", "I know where I get my quads from" or "my Dad raised us like such and such" and I am amazed at how influential I was and I was a kid myself doing the only thing I could - the very best I could because I was clueless because my father failed in that capacity. So to know that as incompetant and incapable as I was as a child raising a child I have fruits that are so sweet to the taste. It is surely a blessing to her as well.

Now with my 11yo I see how much I am able to mold (or break) her spirit or character. It is something that has me horrified and rejoicing at simultaniously. Everything about her is putty in my hands. What an honor and a privilege there is in parenting a daughter.

These little victories that I am fortunate to see may just save me from the impending mid-life crisis that is characteristic of a man my age.

Look at all these little kids takin' care of the music biz don't their bus'ness take good care of me...

I see my oldest daughter posting things on facebook about how "I am her inspiration" (she is training to compete), "I'm becoming my Dad", "I know where I get my quads from" or "my Dad raised us like such and such" and I am amazed at how influential I was and I was a kid myself doing the only thing I could - the very best I could because I was clueless because my father failed in that capacity. So to know that as incompetant and incapable as I was as a child raising a child I have fruits that are so sweet to the taste. It is surely a blessing to her as well.

Now with my 11yo I see how much I am able to mold (or break) her spirit or character. It is something that has me horrified and rejoicing at simultaniously. Everything about her is putty in my hands. What an honor and a privilege there is in parenting a daughter.

These little victories that I am fortunate to see may just save me from the impending mid-life crisis that is characteristic of a man my age.

Great post Dunn I hope I can be as influential on my daughter...tomorrow we will be finding out if our 2nd child is a boy or a girl so that's exciting

Good thread Dunn. I have not have the privilege of having any children yet but we do have plans and quite honestly it scares the **** out of me but on that note I really can't wait for the day to come.

I see my oldest daughter posting things on facebook about how "I am her inspiration" (she is training to compete), "I'm becoming my Dad", "I know where I get my quads from" or "my Dad raised us like such and such" and I am amazed at how influential I was and I was a kid myself doing the only thing I could - the very best I could because I was clueless because my father failed in that capacity. So to know that as incompetant and incapable as I was as a child raising a child I have fruits that are so sweet to the taste. It is surely a blessing to her as well.

Now with my 11yo I see how much I am able to mold (or break) her spirit or character. It is something that has me horrified and rejoicing at simultaniously. Everything about her is putty in my hands. What an honor and a privilege there is in parenting a daughter.

These little victories that I am fortunate to see may just save me from the impending mid-life crisis that is characteristic of a man my age.

Your daughter is very lucky to have a father who takes his responsibility as seriously as you do.

Yeah, cool stuff. I'm fortunate that I don't work weekends or all summer. I make sure to tell my daughters how most dads we know work all the time, travel, and aren't home to cook/any/bedtime stories.
And as a teacher, clearly I don't make that much money. But I have tons of time with my family which is worth more than any income.

Our family understands that because I am an "underachiever" in my career ambitions I work reasonable hours for a reasonable salary which provides a reasonable lifestyle (reasonable today is roof, food and clothes). The downside is that I do not have the lifestyle of one who is very invested in creating a more wealthy and comfortable and luxurious lifestyle. The upside is that I am able to invest myself into my family.

Look at all these little kids takin' care of the music biz don't their bus'ness take good care of me...

Our family understands that because I am an "underachiever" in my career ambitions I work reasonable hours for a reasonable salary which provides a reasonable lifestyle (reasonable today is roof, food and clothes). The downside is that I do not have the lifestyle of one who is very invested in creating a more wealthy and comfortable and luxurious lifestyle. The upside is that I am able to invest myself into my family.

yep, my philosophy exactly. My brother who makes $200k is tied to his crack Berry 24/7. Works all holidays and is basically on call forever. He's a hotel manager but doesn't get to see his kids much.

Our family understands that because I am an "underachiever" in my career ambitions I work reasonable hours for a reasonable salary which provides a reasonable lifestyle (reasonable today is roof, food and clothes). The downside is that I do not have the lifestyle of one who is very invested in creating a more wealthy and comfortable and luxurious lifestyle. The upside is that I am able to invest myself into my family.

Always have to find the balance. When I got a big promotion a few years back, I made the deal with my wife that work stays just there not at home. So in essence, while at work I work like crazy and that allows me to be at "home" with my daughter. The balance is so necessary. Daughters truly need their fathers influence m